Cutting rare language courses: IELTS essay ideas

Some universities are closing departments that teach less common foreign languages because too few students enrol. This essay will discuss the causes of this development and suggest possible solutions.

The first cause is the belief that these languages offer limited job prospects. Students tend to choose subjects that lead to careers, and few employers appear to advertise for speakers of Hungarian or Swahili, so numbers remain low. The second cause is cost. Small classes require teachers and resources just as larger ones do, and universities that are under financial pressure see these departments as expensive for the number of graduates they produce. Finally, the dominance of English and a handful of major languages, such as Chinese and Spanish, draws attention and funding away from the rest.

Nevertheless, the loss of such programmes is a problem, since it leaves a country without experts who understand important regions, and it reduces the study of literature and history connected to these languages. There are practical ways to prevent it. Universities could share teachers through online courses, so that a lecturer in one city teaches students in several institutions, making small classes cost-effective. Governments should provide dedicated funding for rare languages, recognising that they serve national interests in trade, security and research, just as many countries already protect endangered subjects. Finally, authorities and universities can promote careers that rely on such skills, including translation, diplomacy, international business and journalism, by inviting graduates to talk about their jobs and offering scholarships or internships. When students see a clear route to employment, enrolment is likely to rise.

In conclusion, less common languages are cut because of perceived low demand, high costs and the pull of major languages. Online sharing, government funding and career promotion would help to keep these valuable departments open.